UDA secretary general Hassan Omar at the Mwahima
Stadium on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO
UDA secretary general Hassan Omar at the Mwahima
Stadium on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO
UDA secretary general Hassan Omar at the Mwahima
Stadium on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENOUDA secretary general Hassan Omar has said the ruling party’s holistic approach to development will secure it a second term in government, highlighting sport as a key pillar with potential to tackle youth unemployment.
Omar, who is eyeing the Mombasa governor seat, pointed to football as a tool to uplift young people from poverty if properly nurtured.
Official
government statistics show Kenya’s youth unemployment rate dropped slightly to
11.9 per cent in 2024 from 12.01 per cent in 2023, while World Bank data
indicates nearly 75 per cent of Kenyans under 35 struggle to access meaningful
jobs.
Speaking at the conclusion of the Kitaka peace tournament, Omar said Mombasa, particularly Likoni subcounty, has immense sporting talent that needs identification and development.
He
said the government is working with Ali Kitaka and Football Kenya Federation
president Hussein Mohamed to create the right environment for young
footballers.
Omar recalled that during the African Nations Cup, several Mombasa players, guided by Harambee Stars coach Bennie McCarthy represented Kenya.
He predicted that by the 2027 African Cup of Nations, many youths from Likoni and Mombasa will feature in the national team and have opportunities to play in international leagues.
The former Mombasa senator added that plans are underway to build another stadium in Mombasa following the completion of the flagship Sh45 billion Talanta Stadium in Nairobi. Existing facilities, such as Mwahima Stadium, will also be upgraded to support talent development.
Omar urged all stakeholders to collaborate with the government to harness the country’s sports potential, emphasising that sport unites communities, nurtures talent and promotes peace among youth.
Kitaka said sports in Mombasa had lagged due to opposition rule but credited the UDA administration with initiating change.
He praised Omar for giving Likoni residents a direct link to the government and criticised leaders in government positions who have failed to deliver tangible benefits to the people.
Kitaka stressed that Likoni should not be treated as a dumping ground for ineffective politicians and called for the county to produce high-profile national leaders, including a possible Speaker of the National Assembly or Senate.
